Dr. Eric R. Rumack's Homepage

Here is a graph (Source: 1987 WCB Report) showing the duration of absence from work in months versus the percentage probability of return to work. There is an exponential change and decrease in probability of return to work as time advances.

Return to work prognosis can be approximated as follows:

Time off work	Probability % of ever working again
6 months	50% chance of return to work
1 year	10-15% chance of return to work
2 years	less than 5% chance of return to work

EARLY RETURN TO WORK AND MODIFIED WORK PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE PREVENTION OF LONG TERM ABSENCES

Prognosis for return to work guidelines:

Type of injury/illness	Anticipated duration of absence
soft tissue injuries	2-4 weeks (up to 6 weeks maximum)
psychiatric illnesses	4-8 weeks (up to 3 months maximum)

FACT: greater than 90% of uncomplicated soft tissue injuries heal within 3 months and 95% of injured workers return to work within 6 months.

TIMELY INTERVENTION AND COORDINATED MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ANY ABSENCE FROM WORK GREATER THAN FOUR (4) WEEKS IN DURATION IS THE KEY TO PREVENTING CHRONIC DISABILITY.